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Afternoon tea is a formal but fun British tradition based around a light meal served in the mid afternoon - traditionally between 3:30 and 5pm. It is said to have been invented in the mid 1800s by Anna, Duchess of Bedford, a personal friend of Queen Victoria, and was originally the preserve of high society ladies, who would dress up in their finest gowns, gloves and hats for the occasion.
The food served at an afternoon tea typically includes small cakes and pastries, scones with jam (jelly) and cream, and delicate finger sandwiches, often with the crusts cut off. These days other, non-traditional but tasty offerings like macarons or bagels may also be included. The food is displayed on a three-tiered cake stand, with sandwiches and savoury pastries at the bottom, cakes in the middle and scones at the top. There is also plenty of tea, traditionally loose-leaf, and always served from a teapot.
Modern afternoon teas are no longer for the upper classes only, but they are still considered to be a special occasion, and are often accompanied by a glass of champagne or prosecco. Cream teas are served at tea shops, restaurants and hotels throughout the UK, and if you want to, you can hold your very own tea party at home.
Which kind of tea to serve in the afternoon
The best tea to serve at an afternoon tea is something full-bodied and flavourful that won’t be overpowered by sweet pastries and cakes. Lady Grey, Darjeeling or English Black are good traditional choices, while herbal teas like Camomile, Mint and Lavender all pair well with sweet flavours.
How you serve your tea is also important to recreate the refined elegance of a traditional afternoon tea. Use loose leaf tea, brewed in a teapot, and serve it in your best cups and saucers. In case your guests want to sweeten their tea, arrange sugar cubes in a sugar bowl, with a pair of sugar tongs for serving. Vintage tea ware is a great affordable way to get that sense of old world charm, and while we’re not sure the Duchess would have approved, we love the mismatched crockery look.
Sweet recipes for a tea party
Small and dainty is the key when it comes to the sweet portion of your afternoon tea stand. Think miniature cakes, pastries and cookies with pretty colours and delicious flavours, and a generous helping of scones with ham and cream.
Pistachio swirl biscuits
Simple, delicious and decorative, these pretty pinwheel cookies from Olive Magazine make the perfect addition to a modern afternoon tea. The delicate flavour of sweet pistachio cookie with an indulgent cocoa swirl pair beautifully with a cup of tea - but remember this is afternoon tea, so there’s strictly no dunking allowed.
Raspberry scones
No afternoon tea is complete without a tier of scones with cream and jam, and these home baked fruit scones from Donal Skehan are just the thing. With real pieces of fresh raspberry baked inside, they taste great served with a pot of homemade raspberry preserve and a generous helping of clotted cream.
Mini coconut cakes
A beautifully decorated mini sponge cake is another must when planning your afternoon tea party. These fragrant coconut cakes from Teatime Magazine add old-fashioned elegance and charm with their delicate miniature layers and pale pink buttercream rosette topping.
Chocolate mousse in chocolate cups
With their garnish of edible flowers and fresh raspberries, these dainty desserts from Victoria Magazine are pretty as a picture. Indulgently chocolatey and perfectly-portioned for one, these cute cups are ideal for the middle row of your cake stand.
Strawberry jam cakes
Another exquisitely presented miniature sponge from Teatime Magazine, this small but perfectly formed cake is made from layers of pink sponge, flavoured with real strawberry jam, with a strawberry buttercream filling and topping, and a fresh strawberry rosette garnish.
Savoury recipes for tea party
Offer your guests a selection of sandwiches and pastries with light but flavourful fillings. Fresh flavours like cucumber and seafood are traditionally popular. Prepare your sandwich fillings in advance and assemble the sandwiches just before your guests arrive, so they’re at their freshest when you sit down to eat.
Avocado on toast with smoked salmon
This light but luxurious dish from Olive Magazine feels decadent without being too filling, and can easily be made into bite-sized canapés by cutting the toast into quarters before adding the toppings. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare and adds both colour and flavour to your afternoon tea stand.
Cheesy shrimp tea sandwiches
These deliciously creamy open sandwiches from Natasha’s Kitchen are served on slices of warm French bread for another simple, canapé-style savoury bite. They may be small, but they’re full of flavour, with juicy shrimp, Mexican cheese, garlic and herbs all mixed with mayonnaise to make a rich, creamy spread.
Lemony crab cucumber clubs
Cucumber sandwiches are an afternoon tea favourite, and this double-decker sandwich from BBC Good Food combines the cool crunch of cucumber with an extra layer of fresh crab meat in a zesty lemon dressing. It may offer two sandwiches in one, but cut into triangles and with the crusts removed, this clever club still manages to be dainty and light.
Mini salt beef bagels
Bring some irresistible deli flavour to your afternoon tea with these deliciously savoury bagels from BBC Good Food. Made from mini bagel bites topped with crème fraîche, salt beef, a hint of mustard and a garnish of fiery radish and watercress, they take just 10 minutes to assemble, and they’re great for adding a little variety to your savoury layer.
Mini quiche recipe
Another savoury alternative to complement your sandwiches, these bite-sized pastries from Sally’s Baking Addiction are super adaptable, and can be made with a variety of different fillings, with bacon, cheese, peppers and green vegetables all being popular choices.
